Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

This conversation is moderated according to USA TODAY's
community rules.
Please read the rules before joining the discussion.

Can Do Project helps students in need

Ginny Crispin
Published 10:03 p.m. MT Nov. 15, 2014

Buy Photo

Can Do Project organizer Dick Doughten, far left, stands with Community Stewardship Program members Saturday after they finished sorting and packing food items to be donated to area school food banks.(Photo11: Tribune Photo/Ginny Crispin)Buy Photo

For the second year in a row, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church launched its Can Do Project on Saturday morning to help feed homeless children and their families in the Great Falls area.

The project is an initiative of the church’s Community Stewardship Program, who asked the church congregation to bring in nonperishable food items over the past six weeks.

“We ended up with about three-quarters of a ton,” said event organizer Dick Doughten, saying the amount was approximately the same as last year’s collection of 1,750 cans. “But last year we gave them eight weeks — not six,” he said. “So they really did step up above and beyond.”

More than 20 volunteers spent Saturday morning at the church sorting the items into categories and then dividing them into equal sections. They will be delivered to area school food banks.

“We donate to the schools that have the most need,” Doughten said. “Last year, when we dropped off our donation at one of the schools, a teacher actually broke down in tears.”

Doughten said that this and the other schools’ positive feedback is what gave his committee the incentive to continue.

“It’s been successful and it fills a huge need,” Doughten said.

Volunteer Pat Orham said that she is thankful to be a part of the project.

“We know there are people in need so we give out of our abundance to help them,” she said. “Young people need to have good nutrition and what we have provided will help to enable that.”